Coin-testing mechanism for coin-controlled machines



2 SHEETS-SHEET I- L. BERTRAM. com mme MEcHAmsM FOR com coNTaoLLEn MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1918.

Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

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L. BERTRAM.

COIN TESTING MECHANISM FOR COIN CONTROLLED MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3. 1918- Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS BERTRAM, OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW

PORATION, OF NEIN YORK, N. Y.,

YORK, ASSIGNOR TO A CORPORATION 0F NEW AUTOSALES COR- YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug'. 16, 1921.

Application led May 3, 1918. Serial No. 232,205.

Be it known that I. Iiotfis Bnnrnan, a subliect ot' the Emperor ot' Germany, and a resident ot' Long Island City, in the county of Queens and State or" New York, have invented certain new and use-tul Improvements in Coin-Testing Mechanisms for Coin- Controlled Machines. ot' which the iiollowis a specification.

In many coin-controlled machines, particularly vending machines, heretofore constructed. there is a coin-carrier by means ot whi -i the deposited coin is conveyed into operative position within the machine. This coin-carrier is operated by hand from the outside ot the machine. In some oi those machines. the coin was tested by means ot' separate coin-testing mechanisms as it was being carried by the coin-carrier into o 3erative position.

It is t le object of my present invention to dispense with separate coin-testing mechanisms and to provide a coin-carrier which itselt is adapted to test the deposited coin as to diameter and thickness. In this way the mechanism of the machine is considerably simplified.

Mv invention is particularly applicable to machines having a coin-carrier in the Ji'orm ot a rotatable disk which rotates in a substantially v tical olane. rFliese coin-carrying disks oif he prior art are provided with a substantially emi-circular recess or seat Yfor receiving the deposited coin. The coinca rier ot invention has a coin-receiving re s or seat so constructed that a coin oi less than the prescribed thickness or diameter will be automatically discharged out ot the coin-seat during the movement of the coin-carrier and before the improper check reaches an operative position within the machine.

My invention will be clearly understood by reference to the embodiment which I have shown for the sake or illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l shows a rear view, with the back plate removed, of a machine provided with mv newcoin-carrier, the latter being shown inI position to receive the deposited coin:

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal view in cross-section approximately on the broken line 2 2 of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view approximately on line ing downwardly;

Fig. l is a fragmentary view showing the coin-carrier in position to cause the depositedcoin to perform its intended function;

F 1g. is a fragmentary view showing how andeposited check which is too small will slide out ot the coin-receiving recess or seat;

Fig. G is an enlarged cross-sectional view approximately on the broken line 6 6 ot' Fig. 5, illustrating in dotted lines how a check which is too small is not retained in the coin-seat, but automaticallyslides out of the same; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing how a check which is of the same diameter' as. but thinner than, the required coin, is automatically dislodged out of the coin-seat ot.' the coin-carrier.

My new form of coin-testing coin-carrier is applicable to machines of various constructions, and for the sake of illustration I have shown it applied to a coin-controlled vending machine like that set forth in the co-pending application of Edwin B. Potts, Ferial No. 227,856, tiled April 11, 1918. I will, therefore, not deem it necessary to describe in detail the delivery mechanism shown in these drawings, because the same is described in great detail in the said copending application of Edwin B. Potts. I will only refer to so much of the coin-actuated mechanism as is necessary for an understanding ot my present invention.

The casing ot the machine is provided at the top with a coin-entrance slot l which is formed between the front plate 2 of the casing and the wall 3 of the cast-ing 4 secured to the front plate of the casing. In the particular construction illustrated in the drawings, the coin-entrance slot l is formed in the casting tor itself. The coin-entrance slot l leads into what may be called the coin-chute or chamber 5 in which operates the coin-carrier 6. In the preferred form of my invention, this coin-carrier is in the torm of a disk which is rigidly connected with a suitable hand-operable member on the outside of the casing, such as the handwheel or knob T, by means of which the coin-carrier is rotated. The hand-wheel or knob 7 is shown provided with a stud shaft 8 which Vprojects through the casting 4l and to which the coin-carrier 6 is rigidly connected by means of the screw 9, or other- 3-3 of Fig. l, lookcent-shaped tend from edge to edge of the coin-seat 10,

but extends from the edge 12 to approxi- Yorder to avoid possible confusion,

mately the point 13, so that between the point 153 and the other edge 14 of the coinrarrier, the coin-seat is of the same thickness as the body of the coin-carrier itself. l lshould explain, perhaps, at this point, in

that in Figsl, et and 5, the periphery of the coincarrier G is indicated by the dotted circular lline ou. The circle l5 shown in full lines inthose iieures represents an opening in the front plate 2 of the casing. it will be seen from Figs. 1, 4 and 5 that the coin-carrier 6 is slightly larger than the opening 15 and is mounted concentrically with said opening. 1 lt has already been explained that the coin-seat 10 is betr 1een the points 13 and 14 o'f the same thickness, or substantially the saine thickness, as the body of the coin-carrier itself. The purpose of providing the thick section 13-11l at one edge of the coinseat is to provide a driving contact surface for the coin, as will presently be explained in detail. 1 y

The front plate 2 ofthe casing has formed therein a slot i6 which widens intoan opening 1T through which good coins are discharged into vthe coin-bor; or compartment 18. The coin-box 18 is preferably formed Vout of the magazine M itself. The magazine M, in which the vendible goods are stacked, is conveniently formedV of sheet metal and is hinged to the side walls of the casing by pins or studs 19, one of which is shown in Fig. 2. The front wall 20 of the sheet metal magazine M has a cutout portion 21 which is turned at right angles to the wall 2G, as bestshown in Fig. 3. t its bottom edge the front wall 20 of the magazine is formed with an extension 22 which is lient forwardly at right angles to the front .vall 2O and forms the bottom of the coinreceptacle 18. in Fig. 1 the dotted lines 23 indicate a discharged coin resting on the plate 22. By utilizing the metal of the magazine itself to vform the compartment `into which the 'good coins are discharged Vfrom the coin-carrier after performing their intendedV function, the need of separate pieces to form `the coin receptacle is obviated, thereby adding to the simplicity and cheapness `of the machine.

Inthe broadaspect of. my invention, the

deposited coin may perform any desired function. For the sake ofV illustration, I have shown in the drawings a lever 24; pivoted at 25 to the front wall 2 of the casing. In the particular machine illustrated, the lever 24 actuates a delivery cylinder 2G, as set forth in detail in the copending application of Edwin B. Potts previously referred to. I will not explain in detail the operative connections between the lever 24 and the delivery cylinder 26, since they form no part of my Vpresent invention and are furthermore fully explained in the laforesaid Potts application.

The lever .2A-.is provided with a pin or lug 27 arranged to project through the slot 16 into the chamber 5 in which the coin-carrier 6 operates.

I will now describe how a good coin actuates the member 24E by engaging with the pin 27. Vhen a good coin is inserted into the coin-entrance slot l, it will eventually, if not immediately, fall into the coin-seat 1l) of the coin-carrier 6, as indicated at C in Fig. 1. If the coin-carrier happens to be in the position shown in Fig. 1 when the coin is deposited, the coin will at once fall into the proper position in the coin-seat, as indicated in Fig. 1. Should the coin-seat 10 be out of alineinent with the coin-entrance slot when the coin is deposited, the coin will simply rest on the periphery of the coin-carrier until the coin-seat 10 is brought into the position shown in Fig. 1 by rotation of the coin-carrier, whereupon the coin drops ,into the coin-seat. When the coincarrier is rotated from the position shown in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrow a, the section between the points 13 and 14 of the coin-seat, having substantially the same thickness as the coin, acts upon the coin by pushing the same through the coin-passage 5. The outer edge or wall of this coin-passage is circular in shape and is substantially concentric with the coin-carrier, so that the coin will be guided into its operative position as it is being propelled by the coincarrier. As seen from Fig. 2, the coin-entrance slot and the coin-passage leading therefrom, is only a trifle wider than the coin, so that when the deposited coin C rests in the coin-seat, it is maintained in proper position between the front wall 2 of the casing and the wall 3 of the casting t. ln other words, the front and rear walls of the coin-passage act as props Jfor sustaining the coin in the coin-seat .during the rotation of the coin-carrier. The coin-engaging section 13-111 ofthe coin-seat secures a firm grip on the edge of the coin and so propels the same through the coin-passage until the l edge of the coin strikes the pin 27, as shown in Fig. 4E. d Further rotation of the coincarrier in the same direction causes the coin C to engage the pin 27 and thereby rock the lever 2st in the direction indicated by the arrow 7) in F ig. el. This movement ot the lever causes the connected delivery cylinder to eject the lowermost package l from the magazine M into the delivery chamber 25S at the bottom the casing. tter trie coin has thus acted on the pin 2T, further 'forward rotation of the coin-carrier will cause the coin to be pushed out from between the edge l-l of the coin-carrier and the pin QT, the discharged coin ialling througl'i the opening 1T into the coin recei tacle le previously referred to.

in the broad aspect of my invention, the Yform or function of the coin-actuated Inf-mber 2i is immaterial` and when hereinaiter speak of a member adapted to be engaged by the coin in the coin-carrier, mean any suitable member intended to per- Jform any suitable function.

l will now d scribe how my ew form ot coin-carrier automatically ejects improper checks.

Assuming that the machine is intended operate only with a nickel (which may said to he the coin represented at C in l and 2), let us now assume that a an deposits a smaller coin. such as a or a dime. Such a coin, being "-of smaller diameter and less thickness than the prescribed coin. will notl remain in the coinseat lf) of the coin-carrier G. but will slide down over the beveled surface ll, as indicated by the dotted lines D in Figs. 5 and G, and fall out of the coin-seat through the opening l5 of the front plate 2 down to the bottom of the casing.

Even it the improper check should be as lace as the prescribed coin, but thinner, as indicated at E in Fig. T. it will slide over the beveled surface ll of the coin-carrier and tall through the opening l5 down to the bottom ot the casing. This is because a thin check, when it reaches the beveled surface il ot' the coin carrier inds no support between the walls Q and of the coin slot. as would a coin ot' the proper thickness, with the result that the thin check will simply slide ott the beveled surface ll. lu other words, the walls 2 and 3 of the coin slot are spaced in such a way to constitute a support for a coin or proper thickness as the same drops from the coin entering slot into the curved seatof the coin carrier. Fig. 'T shows how a thin check E is not sustained betwee the Walls 2 and 3, but leans against the wall I3 at such an angle as to slip otll the beveled surface ll ot the coin carrier.

I have found by actual trial that the improper check drops out of the coin-seat Li ctically at the moment when the coinseat is in alinement with the coin-entrance ot, as shown in Fig. 5. Should the coinseat of the coin-carrier be out of alinement with the coin-entrance slot when the toosmall or too-thin check or coin is deposited, the check Will rest on top of the coin-carrier until the coin-seat comes into line with the coin-entrance slot. lVhen that occurs, the improper check simply slides out of the coin-carrier in the manner above described.

The improper check drops down through the chamber indicated at 29 which is between the front wall 2 of the casing and the frontI wall 20 of the magazine M, and is to one side of the coin receptacle i8. The discharged improper checks are, theretore. tree to fall down into the chamber 28 at the bottom of the magazine, whence they may be readily removed.

ln the (ilraivings l have shown the coinrarrier (l provided with a rearwardly projecting pin 30. 'The purpose of the pin 30 is to engage the extension 3l of the lever Q1.- and actuate the same after the proper coin in the coin-carrier has moved the lever Qi a certain amount by engaging with the pin 2?. In other words, the pin 30 completes the operative movement of the lever 241 in order to etlect the ejection of the packby means ot the delivery cylinder 26. The feature ot' the pin 30 forms no part ot my present invention, and I have shown it. merely because l have chosen to illustrate my new coin-carrier as applied to a machine like that shown in the copending al plication of Edwin B. Potts7 previously referred to.

It will be seen from the foregoingr that I have devised an exceedingly simple means for automatically discharging improper checks from the hand-operable coin-carrier ot' a coin-controlled machine. Broadly speaking, the improper checks which my new coini rrier would discharge, are checks of less than the diameter or thickness ot a proper coin. This means checks which are smaller in diameter and in thickness than a proper coin, checks which are ot' substantially the same thickness as a proper coin but of smaller diameter, checks which are ot the same diameter as a proper coin but ot less thickness, and many other kinds of irregular checks that might be inserted into the machine. F or instance.. the part indicated in Fig. 7 by the dotted lines E, might be a rectangular strip of metal, which Would at once slide out of the coin-carrier, and so neither operate nor clog the machine.

The beveled surface ll on the coin-car rier 6 also performs the function ot keeping the coin-seat on the carrier and the coinchamber 5 free from such extraneous mau terial, as strips of paper or the like, that are frequently inserted into slot, machines. Such strips Will not remain in the coin-seat, but will automatically slide out ot the same through the opening l5.

Owing to the factthat my new coin-testing mechanism does not in its preferred form add anything to the machine, my invention is particularly applicable to coin-controlled machines of essentially small construction, such as vending machines used in theaters and like places. y

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by lietters Patent of the United States, is:

l. In a coin-controlled machine, a casing adapted to be supported in a substantially upright position and'having a downwardly extending coin-passage, the width of said coin-passage being substantially equalV to the thickness of a proper coin, a hand-operable coin-disk mounted to rotate in said coinpassage and having a curved seat or recess for receiving a proper coin and carrying the same into operative position, and a beveled surface leading downwardly :from said coin-seat, whereby checks of less than prescribed thiclmess or diameter automatically slide down said beveled surface out of the coin-seat.

2. In a coin-controlled machine, a easing adapted to be supported in a substantilly upright position andliaving a downwardly extending cein-iassage, the width of said coin-passage being substantially equal to the thickness of a proper coin, a hand-opA erable coin-disk mounted to rotate in said. coin-passage and having a curved seat or recess for receiving a proper coin and carrying the same into operative position, and a beveled surface leading downwardly from said coin-seat, whereby checks of less than prescribed thickness or diameter automatically slide down said beveled surface out of the coin-seat, said coin-seat insuring` a thick portion for engaging the edge of a proper coin in the forward movement of the coincarrier.

3. In a coin-controlled machine, a pair of slightly spaced walls forming a vertical shallow chamber, a disk rotatable in said chamber and having a seat or recess for receivingA the Ideposited coin, said walls concer/,esi

operating to sustain a proper coin in said coin'seat during the operation of said disk, one of said walls having an opening opposite said disk, and a crescent-shaped beveled surface leading downwardly from said coin-` lchamber andhaving a seat for recess for receiving the deposited coin, said walls coperating to sustain aproper coin in said coinseat during the operation of said disk, one of said walls having an opening opposite said disk, and a crescent-shaped beveled surface leading downwardly from said coinseat, whereby checks of less than the prescribed thickness or diameter automatically slide down said beveled surface and out of the coin-seat through said opening, said coinseat having a thick portion for engaging the edge of the deposited coin in the forward rotation of said disk.

5. In a coin-controlled machine, an upright casing provided with a pair of vertical chambers arranged side by side, a rotatable coin-carriermounted above said chambers and having a curved seat or recess to carry the deposited coin into operative position, a member adapted to be actuated through the medium of the coin on said coinwcarrier, said coin being automatically discharged from said coin-carrier into one of said chambers after actuating said member, and a downwardly beveled surface formed on said coin-seat, whereby checks of less than the prescribed tiickness or diameter automatically slide down said beveled surface out of the coin-seat and into the other of said chambers without actuating said member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 26th day of April, 1918.

LOUIS BERTRAM. 

